Neighbors: Let’s spring ahead

We’re 12 days from its first day, our weather prognosticator tells me that this week’s snow is 21 of the 23 snowfalls she predicted earlier in the season, sugar houses are boiling away, birds are singing, and we’re pushing the clocks ahead this weekend.

Beautiful, warm, sunny days are just around the corner, and I can feel my mood lifting as I write.

I thought you’d like to know that one of our younger neighbors, Katherine Kuklewicz of Turners Falls, has been recognized as one of Skidmore College’s student athletes.

According to information I received this week, Katherine was one of 106 student athletes recently inducted into the college’s Thoroughbred Honor Society. She is the daughter of Charles and Barbara Kuklewicz of Turners Falls.

The honor society recognizes varsity student athletes who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.67 or higher during the previous semester.

Way to go, Katherine!

I THOUGHT YOU’D ALSO BE INTERESTED to know that one of our local businesses was recently featured in a national trade magazine.

Aliber’s Bridal on Federal Street in Greenfield was featured in Vows magazine, a bi-monthly bridal industry publication. I’m told each issue features a single bridal shop from across the nation.

Owner Cristen Rosinski and former owner Doris Brown did an in-depth telephone interview with one of the magazine’s editors.

Aliber’s opened on Main Street in 1920. It was run at that time by the Aliber family. It eventually moved to the north side of Main Street, and Larissa and Robert Daigle later moved it to where it is today.

Cristen, who worked at the shop when Doris owned it, bought Aliber’s three years ago.

Through the years, many local women have worked at Aliber’s and watched their neighbors come through the door for their gowns.

Congratulations Cristen, Doris, everyone who has ever been a part of the business and made so many brides’ lives more beautiful, and a lot easier.

BEFORE I GO ON, I got a call Thursday morning from Jeff Hanson, who lives on Sauter Lane in Greenfield.

Jeff told me that his 6-year-old calico cat Zoe climbed a tree at his home on Monday and couldn’t get down.

By Wednesday, Jeff found himself frantically calling police, fire, local veterinarians, and anyone else he could think of. No help came.

“I was really losing faith and disappointed with humanity,” he told me. “Everyone just kept telling me to wait until she fell out of the tree.”

Jeff was outside talking with Zoe on Wednesday when his neighbor, only known as Cheryl, walked by.

“She called Jeff Koshinsky of Green Tree Service in Greenfield and he and his assistant John came right over with a cherry picker,” said Jeff. “After they got her down, I pulled out my checkbook and asked Jeff what he wanted. I said I’d pay anything.”

He said that Koshinsky simply looked at him and said, “I’m an animal lover, too. This one’s on me.”

Jeff said he was really touched.

“I have a neighbor who is an angel,” he said. “And Jeff and John really restored my faith in people.”

ANIMAL CRACKERS ON DEERFIELD STREET has joined forces with the Literacy Project to support literacy education.

Animal Crackers has raised, through customer donations, $320 for the project, which helps adults throughout Franklin County.

Literacy Project Executive Director Judith Roberts said the money will help support Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Health Literacy curriculum by buying food for classes on how to prepare health family meals on a budget.

THE BERNARDSTON SENIOR CENTER will host a new series, “Living Too Long: Outliving Family and Friends,” on five Wednesdays beginning March 20 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

The other Wednesdays will be March 27, April 17 and 24, and May 8, all at the same time and all will be held at the center.

Winnie Ganshaw, a spiritual counselor with Hospice of Franklin County, will lead the program.

Registration is not required. The series is free, but donations are appreciated.

For more information, call 413-648-5413.

THE CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL on Bank Row in Greenfield will hold an open house on March 27 from 4 to 7 p.m.

This is your chance to learn more about the Connecticut and Green rivers, which run through our backyard.

You will be able to explore the council’s offices and water quality testing lab, while chatting with staff and board members.

Refreshments will be served.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY is looking for applicants for future homes in Montague, Easthampton and Northampton.

The Montague home will be built with the help of Franklin County Technical School students.

Applications are due April 5.

An information session will be held March 16 at 10 a.m. at Greenfield Savings Bank, 282 Avenue A in Turners Falls. It is necessary to attend an information session to receive an application.

Home ownership under the program is available for low-income working families. Income eligibility information is available online on the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity site: www.pvhabitat.org.

MONTAGUE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH will hold a meatloaf supper on March 16 at 5:30 p.m.

Call for reservations at 413-774-7256. Walk-ins will be seated as space allows. People may also call for take-out orders.

OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA CHURCH at 87 K St. in Turners Falls will hold its Polish Easter Bazaar on March 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be Polish crafts and homemade foods, raffles and more.

To rent a table or for more information, call Shirley Webb at 413-773-7202.

NORTHFIELD MOUNT HERMON SCHOOL will show Disney’s new feature-length film “OZ: The Great and Powerful” at Greenfield Garden Cinemas on Main Street in Greenfield on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. as part of its Upward Bound Program.

Tickets are $5 per person at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Upward Bound scholarship fund.

THE DEERFIELD VALLEY ARTISTS winter members show at Wilson’s Department Store has been extended through March 15 during regular store hours.

To contact Anita Fritz, a staff reporter at The Recorder, send an email to: anita.alice.fritz@gmail.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 280 or call her cell at 413-388-6950. You can also reach Anita on Facebook at Anita’s Neighbors. Information to be included in Neighbors may also be sent to: neighbors@recorder.com up to noon on the day before you want it to run.